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Child died at the SICU: Pediatrician

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18 February 2013 03:01 pm - 44     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Nawaloka Hospital pediatrician giving evidence at the inquest into the death of five-year-old Buddhini Kaushalya Ratnayake denied claims made by the parents that their daughter had died inside the MRI machine.

Pediatrician Dr. Duminda Pathirana said the child had died in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) while being treated for Rett Syndrome.

Dr. Pathirana who had been attending on the child since her birth informed Colombo Fort Magistrate that he was not inside the MRI scanning room on February 1 and said he had only recommended the child be referred for a MRI test.

“When the child was brought to the MRI scanning room, I was not there. I do not know anything about it. I was in the Out Patient Department and further learnt that the child was suffering from sudden Cardiac Arrest symptoms.  

Dr. Pathirana further told Court that he recommended the patient to be referred for a MRI test following a discussion with other neurologists in the hospital.  
He said the child was alive when taken to the SICU and he subsequently observed that her body was not cold and had not turned blue. The child specialist further told Court that the child was pronounced dead in the evening of February 6 after brain and heart failure.   

The mother of the five-year-old had earlier alleged that her daughter was put into the MRI machine and when her daughter was pulled out from the machine, she saw, her daughter had turned blue and the belly was swollen.

Counsel RavindranathDabare and RushankaSamaranayakeandJayantha Dias Nanayakkara appeared for the aggrieved party. President’s Counsel C.R. de Silva, ChinthakaRankothge, R.J. de Silva and DarshanaWeerasekara appeared for Nawaloka Hospital.

Further magisterial inquiry was postponed for March 11. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Click HERE for images

 

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  Comments - 44

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  • UK Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:09 AM

    They have already told that to everybody mate!

    Gallian Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:43 AM

    MRI Machine should hang to death....? no.. no.. I think the verdict will be a suicide attempt...? Its Sri Lankan style...

    Jayantha Munasinghe Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:24 AM

    Some investigations should be done by CID. Check the machine for a replacement of the baloon or any part on or after that day. Check its present condition. Check with the machine service agents for any repairs requested or carried out. Quizz the minor staff/ security staff to verify the incident. Request the hospital to submit all tests/scans/ECG taken of the child AFTER the incident to prove she was alive after the incident ( not manually written )

    Jayen Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:27 AM

    Also record evidence from the patient/s who were in the adjoining bed in the SICU to findout if there were any signs of the child being alive.

    Jayen Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:30 AM

    People beware of the hospital and the conniving doctor

    solo Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:34 AM

    The Law here is barbaric one

    Jayen Tuesday, 19 February 2013 07:45 AM

    Health Ministry must investigate the allegation by Cha on using used probes.

    sonali Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:01 AM

    I agree Police should have seized access to the machine till the investigations are over... Is that money talk through Dr. Pathirana' mouth??? Such a shame!!!

    Parent Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:06 AM

    A certain doctor got his car permit and left the Govt.Hospitals five years ago. He kept my Child at a pvt Hospital when he was born for more then 12 days just to run up the bill. Every time he visits the child he will see some thing wrong with the child and put him through a test so that the hospital will get more money. There was nothing wrong with my child he was 100% oK, thank god.He has done wonderful job from his part to the Pvt Hospital. Therefore he was appointed to the director board to continue his good work for the Hospital. I am sure there a parents out there who has gone through the same experience as I have in the same Hospital. I feel very very sorry for the parents for their great loss. They have done the correct thing,how long can this go on with no one taking the responsibility.

    mohamed asfar Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:04 AM

    nawaloka care only money. if you want to admit someone keep a million in the pocket.

    UK Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:04 AM

    The whole incident sounds dodgy. After reading all the reports and Allegations of the parents, it sounds more like the parents have no idea of whats happened. And the lay parents can only make allegations of various things. This happens when you do not communicate with the patients open hearted and honestly.
    Its hard to believe that an ICU ventilating and treating a dead body.
    When the Echo and ECG and other documents during the ICU stay of the child come to the light all will be clear.

    Dee Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:26 AM

    then why dont all people go to govt. hospitals?

    sasna Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:10 AM

    nope..she is a diagnosed child with Rett syndrome....

    Lanke Banda Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:12 AM

    With your Daughter or Son is it ok ?

    Roshan Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:09 AM

    its good that we here both stories. petty sure that this girl seems having some kind of a illness.

    cardiac arrest can happened with any person at any age.

    Dil Tuesday, 19 February 2013 08:49 AM

    Folks, don't worry Nawaloka has got the services of very powerful and influential set of lawyers, this how the cases are decided in our land.

    YAMALOKA Tuesday, 19 February 2013 09:06 AM

    Unfortunately we don’t have such Cameras inside MRI Scanning room. (Last week we have removed all those; due to the advices by our layers.)
    Otherwise how can we provide camera backups of that Child suffering sudden Cardiac Arrest symptoms inside Scanning room.
    But we have evidence by our PAID pediatrician. So what else?

    Niyas Tuesday, 19 February 2013 10:22 AM

    If you are confidence child is ok then why you did not take second oppinion from another child specialist and sue the Dr and the hospital?
    what is the pint complaining now?

    sb Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:08 PM

    not some kind of illness. She got Rett syndrome. just google it! you can get cardiac arrest anywhere anytime. no point of blaming for it. its the nature of this human body.

    malin Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:28 PM

    I will not take my child to him as he seems to be covering up for Yamloka.

    T.Mukunthan Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:34 PM

    Please do not play with our children's life

    Jason Wednesday, 20 February 2013 02:49 AM

    Nawaloka has huge media budgets ....so they have the power to close things up ...consumers will suffer end of the day ...

    Godaya Monday, 18 February 2013 05:40 PM

    Why didn't Police carry out investigation into the machine? In any other accident vehicle is taken into the custody of Police or machine is sealed by Court. Why not in this particular case.

    DHA Monday, 18 February 2013 03:44 PM

    Who are we to believe....hope justice is served....

    mercy Monday, 18 February 2013 03:47 PM

    Mistakes Do Happen

    Wanni Monday, 18 February 2013 03:50 PM

    Most of thesse specilist work in Govt.hospirals runing for money at private hospitals.And no time to care for patients.And Govt.must take rule for this sorry state of citizon of country.

    Amirthasun Monday, 18 February 2013 03:58 PM

    We can’t believe this

    Nimal Monday, 18 February 2013 04:34 PM

    Just boycott that hospital folks... That is the only answer in this lawless situation.

    jayasingha Monday, 18 February 2013 04:59 PM

    Doctors in private hospitals too should be investigated as Govt: hospital doctors when such incidents occur.

    සරත් Monday, 18 February 2013 05:01 PM

    This was expected.. Good move doctor. I call this Mervin style

    MountainLion Monday, 18 February 2013 05:02 PM

    As usual a bunch of lies. In Sri Lanka there is no accountability from the the top to the bottom. This is only found in developed countries, not in Banana Countries.

    Banda Monday, 18 February 2013 05:17 PM

    If you want to get rid of any one, take him/her to Nawaloka Butchchary.

    Budhist Monday, 18 February 2013 05:36 PM

    Money minded doctors!!! The noble profession has gone to the dogs now the days!!! god should save our people....

    Premalal Monday, 18 February 2013 03:36 PM

    Nawaloka hospital has surveillance cameras all over. Examination of footage would shed a lot of light.

    cha Monday, 18 February 2013 05:55 PM

    when my brother worked as trainee dadiograper .he said they ulilized used probe. when he asked why they were doing this. the incharge said it was not good to ask like this

    doctor doc Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:00 AM

    its not the scanner! they need to check if the anaesthetists placed the airway in the food pipe and not the windpipe..a known error! the bloated stomach explains that..she woukd have died of cardiac arrest as a result of no oxygen in her lungs... serious medical error!!! via DM Android App

    Be fair...... Tuesday, 19 February 2013 02:44 AM

    Nawaloka will get over this dilemma as they have money. Imagine the parents, how will they recover. Reliable sources say Nawaloka has covered up the whole incident so well now you cant prove medicallyh what happened. I hope justice will be served

    Ram Tuesday, 19 February 2013 02:56 AM

    More money, more powerful lawyers and more political influence can change the verdict in favor of Nawaloka!

    Nan Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:08 AM

    oppa mervyn style..

    MagodisThuma Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:20 AM

    Dr Duminda Pathirana is not a Govt doctor. He resigned from Govt service long ago !

    D. Wijesiriwardenaah Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:25 AM

    Its sad that eminent lawyers in the likes of Messrs. C.R. de Silva and R.J. de Silva are appearing for Nawaloka.. The hospital is trying their level best to cover up this issue. Now they say the little girl was not put into the MRI scanner, but at the beginning the newspapers said that the person on duty at that time had shouted that the "balloon" had broken. The parents would not lie, but the hospital would, as they are at fault.

    Human Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:46 AM

    poor mother she cannot move on with these people, Justice in Srilanka...?

    Thas Tuesday, 19 February 2013 04:51 AM

    not with one life

    Maya Tuesday, 19 February 2013 05:20 AM

    Is it Doctor lying ?Mother never told media that child had Rett Syndrome.


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